Knockdown coffin



Patented Aug 26,1884.

J. LOGHER.

KNOGKDOWN GOFFIN, BOX, 8w.

Wain/66.5 66' 56 Wm UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcn,

JAMES LQOHER, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

KNOCKDOWNQCOFFIN, Box, 8w.

EIF'ECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,113, dated August 26, 1884.

Application filed March 1, 1884.

(N0 model.)

To all 1072/0727, it may coztccrn' Be it known that I, JAMES Loonnn, who have declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Coffins, Boxes, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of a coflin constructed in accordance with my invention, and represented as in condition to receive other coftins of thesame size part way therein, wh ereby several may be nested together for transportation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, the parts being in position for nesting; and Fi g. 3, a similar detail, the parts being in their normal relative position.

The object of my invention is to so construct coiiins that each may be readily arranged so as to be capable of receiving part way another of the same size, whereby several coffins of the same size may be nested together for transportation, and each be as readily put into condition for use as they coulthbe if originally and permanently made in such condition. The attainment of my object involves amanncr of connecting the side and ends to the bottom of the coffin which will permit of an inclination of said ends and sides suiiicient in extentto enlarge the capacity ofthe coffin sufficiently to part way receive another coffin, and which at the same time shall prevent a further inclination of said sides and ends, as would occur were I to employ any of the usual constructions found in ordinary knockdown crates or boxes.

The distinctive characteristic of my invention is that the walls of the coffin are capable of being inclined outwardly without falling to aplane common with the bottom of the coflin, and be provided with metal fastenin gs and planed joints to form, when ready for use, a substantially water-tight receptacle.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the bottom, B the sides, and O the ends, of the coffin, and these parts are secured together by connecting-straps 1),, one end of which is secured to the bottom, and the other end of which is secured to the lower edge of the side or end.

parts connected thereby.

I may increase or diminish the numberof the connecting-straps as desired; but when each side is formed with an angle, IE) it will be noticed that the connecting-straps Ihmust be confined to one of the portions of the side which is straight. Each sidebeing bent to adapt it to the shape of the bottom, it would be impossible to apply the connecting-straps to the sides at points on opposite sides of the apex of the angle and yet have a side capable of folding downward. The connecting-strap employed is a strip of metal in sheet or other desired form, which will stand bending fora limit-ed number of times without breaking the same. This strip may be secured to the bottom and the side or end in any suitable man ner. In this instance I employ a screw or screws, (2. The strap is flanged at its end, as at d, and forced into the wood of the bottom, so that the strip is secured upon the outer surface of the bottom. If desired, it may be let into the bottom and into the sides, whereby the outer surface of the strip may be flush with the outer surfaces of the Another flange, d may be formed at the opposite end of the connecting-strip, and may lie upon, come against, or be set into the side or end wall and at the lower edge thereof, where it will, when the cotiin is completed, be covered by the usualnnolding or any other ornaments placed thereon. In this instance Igroove the walls to receive a projecting tongue or rib, a,

formed along the edges of the bottom A, to which the strips 1) are attached, and said groove 1) may, if desired, be duplicated,so that adouble tongueor more than one tongueformed upon the edge of the bottom may extend in to the side wall. Still I do not wish to limit my invention in this respect, as the groove and tongue may be dispensed with. Now, it will be seen that vertical joints in the walls, if free from connecting devices, permit said walls, when connected as described, to be inclined outwardly, so as to receive part way another coflin of the same size within. them; and when a series of coffins are so nested together any ordinary band, crate, or box containing the whole nest'may be employed to protect them from injury during transportation. After reaching their destination, the cofiins are removed from the package, the sides righted, as shown in Fig. 3, and any usual ornamental or other fastening devices are employed at the vertical joints of the walls. Glue may also be used upon the tongue a and the groove 1), and the coffin is otherwise fitted for use. The covers of the coffins in the nest may be packed in the same crate or box, beneath or above the nest or within the upper coffin thereof, as desired.

Although I have herein described and illustrated my invention as applied to coffins, it is apparent that any receptaclesuch as boxes and cratesmay be constructed upon the same principle, and may therefore be transported from place to place at a great saving of expense; and I therefore do not limit my invention to coffins alone, but deem any receptacle having walls secured to the bottom by metal straps, so as to permit of an outward inclination of said walls to a limited extent, and sufficient only for nesting, as comprehended by my invention; and at the same time I am aware that it is not new to make knockdown boxes and receptacles so that their walls may be completely turned down so as to be in line with the bottoms thereof, or partly down, and secured by cords connecting the sides at any desired angle, and I therefore do not claim such latter construction as of my invention.

It is also acknowledged that the coffins described in this application cannot enter completely within another of the same size, but they can enter suflicicntly to save a large still less room; but their varnished surfaces would be more likely to rub against each other and be defaced while subjected to the horizontal oscillations of railroadcars than when nested.

Having described my invention and itsoperation, what I claim is- 1. A coffin or other receptacle having unconnected walls secured to its bottom by connecting meta-l straps constructed and arranged to extend across thejoint between said walls, substantially as specified, whereby said walls are adapted to be inclined outwardly toa limited extent only, substantially as and for the purpose I set forth.

2. The combination of the unconnected walls and the bottom of a coffin or other receptacle with elastic connecting-strips, constructed and operating to extend across the joint between said walls, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the grooved wall B,

tongued bottom A, and the metal strip D, provided with the flanges cl (Z and with attaching devices, as (l, for securing said strip. to the 7 bottom, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES LOGHER.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN Anonnn, Jno. F. ARCHER. 

